© 2018 The Texas Lawbook.
By Brooks Igo
(Jan. 9) – Wright & Close, a trial and appellate boutique law firm in Houston, added Jessica Zavadil Barger as a named partner to kick off the new year, the firm announced Monday. The new firm will be called Wright Close & Barger.
Though shortening law firm names has been the trend, firm founder Tom Wright considered the decision to add a name to the ledger as an opportunity to recognize hard work and demonstrate to clients that the firm appreciates their business.
“Jessica is really a superstar in the appellate arena,” Wright, who started the 25-lawyer firm in 2002, says. “She is highly sought after by clients.”
Barger, who joined the firm in 2007 after serving as a briefing and staffing attorney for Chief Justice Kem Frost of the Texas 14th District Court of Appeals, made partner in 2012. She says the promotion to named partner “speaks volumes” about the value her firm places on hard work, achievement and client development.
“I love my firm. I could work 24 hours-a-day,” she says. “It’s not just about a quality work product. That is of course number one, but it is also connecting with the client and building the personal relationships.”
The daughter of entrepreneurs and successful salespeople, Barger says she logged 2,600 billable hours in 2017 with another 300 hours committed to marketing efforts. She credits her parents for showing her a work ethic and the difference-making ability of paying attention to her clients’ interests.
For one client who loves clowns, Barger gifts a clown figurine each year. For another, it is a piece of custom-made jewelry.
“Everyone gives clients a pecan pie,” she notes.
Barger also praised Justice Frost for being a “huge mentor” for her as a young female attorney.
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